#NationalTaterDay

[rabbitcruiser]

National Tater Day

With so many reasons to love potatoes, it’s no surprise that these little vegetables have their own day to celebrate them.

Whether they are of the regular variety (tubers) or the orange-colored sweet variety (root vegetables), potatoes can be affectionately known as “taters”. Filling, energizing and nutritional, the potato packs a punch when it comes to feeding large groups of people. 

And these little guys provide a huge purpose in celebrating National Tater Day!

History of National Tater Day

Researchers believe that potatoes have been part of human civilization for thousands of years. Dating back more than 4000 years, to the Incan civilizations, potatoes were probably domesticated as a farming staple for these ancient people who lived in what is modern-day Peru. Since that time, potatoes have followed the history of people from South America to Europe, to North America, Asia and beyond.

National Tater Day has a history that may date back more than 150 years, when the folks in the state of Kentucky would buy and sell their sweet potatoes (‘taters’). Sweet potatoes were a crop that was an important part of the livelihood of many people in this area, and the trade day has a history that started in the 1840s. Though it was originally celebrated early in the month of April, the day has since been moved to the last day of March.

Though the day was originally set aside to celebrate potatoes of the sweet and orange variety, things have changed and now the day is here to pay heed to and enjoy potatoes of all types and kinds!

National Tater Day Timeline

2500 BC

Incas grow potatoes 

In present day Peru, the Incas are believed to cultivate potatoes in the Andes mountains.

1539

Potatoes are introduced to Europe 

Spanish conquistadors bring potatoes back from their travels.

1840s

First National Tater Days take place 

The tradition of trading and selling ‘taters’ or sweet potatoes dates back to this time.

1845

Potato famine takes place in Ireland 

A certain kind of mold infects the Irish potato crop, spreading rapidly and causing a famine.

1956

Taytos potato chips company is formed 

This Irish manufacturer makes its entrance with potato chips/crisps that are cooked in an actual castle.

How to Celebrate National Tater Day

Have tons of delightful fun celebrating National Tater Day with some of these interesting ideas:

Enjoy Eating ‘Taters’

Potatoes are a vegetable loved by almost anyone and everyone! They are versatile, easy to cook, store well and can be used for a vast array of creative dishes from savory to sweet and so much more. Mash them, bake them, fry them or make them into pancakes!

Grab them in chip form, fry form or even flake form. Order them up at a restaurant or make them in a favorite recipe at home. Eating potatoes is an ideal activity on a day such as this, because National Tater Day is here to offer time to enjoy these versatile little tubers in a wide variety of ways.

Learn Some Health Benefits of ‘Taters’

This carbohydrate rich vegetable has a lot to offer when it comes to nutrition, especially when they are prepared in a healthy manner (like baked with the skin on). Plus, it is affordable and easily accessible, giving a quick amount of energy to anyone who eats it. Learn about some of these health benefits of potatoes in honor and celebration of National Tater Day:

Potatoes contain fiber The most fiber-filled part of the potato is the skin, and fiber is good for preventing heart disease. So be sure to leave the skin on the potatoes when preparing them at home. Plus, it makes cooking simpler and easier!

Full of antioxidants Potatoes offer a bunch of antioxidants that are extremely helpful in getting rid of those free radicals that can be harmful to the body and are often associated with causing cancer. Antioxidants can also help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Potassium and magnesium Both of these minerals are essential for the way the body functions in a healthy manner, particularly helping with lowering the blood pressure, which can reduce the incidence of stroke or heart disease.

Vitamin C Many people don’t realize that potato skins are rich in vitamin C. In fact, one potato (with the skin on) contains around 40% of the daily recommended nutritional value of Vitamin C for an adult. This is why potatoes were used to prevent scurvy for ship crews in the 18th century and beyond.

Make a National Tater Day Soundtrack

Food days can be loads of fun! Especially when the food is one that has a funny name that sounds great in the lyrics of a song. Consider it an important part of the National Tater Day celebration to listen to some potato themed songs – and even perhaps sharing some of them with friends.

Have a listen to some of these songs appropriate for National Tater Day:

Hot Potato by The Wiggles (1994). Sure, it’s a ridiculous kids’ song by a ridiculous Australian singing group. But it’s still loads of fun!

Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong (1957). The famous pronunciation song with the lyrics, “You say potato and I say potato”.

Potato Head Blues by Louis Armstrong and His Hot Seven (1927). This instrumental only is one of Armstrong’s finest recordings – and no one really knows why it was named Potato Head Blues. 

Potato Song (Cuz I Want To) by Kesha (2020). Too new to be a classic, this one might appeal to the younger generations.

Visit a Tater Day Festival

Located in the town of Benton, Kentucky, this annual festival continues to be hosted by the town and might be a perfect way to celebrate National Tater Day. This event is devoted especially to sweet potatoes and it typically takes place on the first few days in April. This three day festival got its start in 1843 and has been going strong in celebration of the ‘tater’ every year since. The Tater Day Festival offers a wide range of charming, small-town activities and events including a parade, canning competition, singing and other performances, musical contests, a carnival and much more.

Those who miss the Tater Day Festival in April may want to opt for some of these other events scheduled for later in the year. Those who are serious fans can make plans to attend them all!

North Carolina Potato Festival is typically scheduled for late May in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

The annual Tater Daze Parade is celebrated in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota in early June.

Sweet Tater Festival that takes place in Cullman, Alabama in September.

Spring Valley Potato Festival is located in the Dayton, Ohio area and happens in early October. 

National Tater Day FAQs

What are ‘taters’?

In the United States, the term ‘tater’ is short for ‘potato’ and is sometimes used to mean sweet potatoes.

Why is the potato important?

Potatoes are easy to grow, affordable and offer Vitamin C, potassium and fiber (in the skin).

Are potato skins healthier than the potato?

By mass, the potato skin may be up to twelve times higher in antioxidants than the flesh of the tater.

When did tater tots come out?

Tater tots were introduced to Americans in 1953 by Ore-Ida.

Which potato is the healthiest? 

Potatoes with dark flesh, such as red or purple potatoes are one of the healthiest varieties as they contain the most minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals.

Source

[nobertsales]

National Tater Day   Potatoes are quite versatile, which might explain why so many people like them. They are the number one consumed vegetable in the US. And when you consider how many ways we can eat the over 200 different kinds of potatoes in the US, you shouldn’t be surprised. According to the National Potato Council, an average potato contains no fat, no cholesterol and has about 100-110 calories each.   The potato contains about 80 percent water. High in fiber, potassium and vitamin C, potatoes are also considered an antioxidant.   The potato was the first veggie grown in space. 🥔🍟 #NationalTaterDay #Food #FoodSolutions #FoodService #FoodServiceSolutions #FoodSales #WeKnowFood #FoodConsultant #FoodDude #FoodOfTheDay #NobertSales @NobertSales (at Germantown, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqdXs1ggffb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[duranduratulsa]

Happy National Tater Day! #food #foodporn #potatoes #taters #NationalTaterDay

[pjrobesq]

Bet you didn’t know ‘dat!! Happy #NationalTaterDay !! https://www.instagram.com/p/CNG20RFp76jO0izViHftmYdnZP1YhhiwYM35E00/?igshid=117dg22h7orf8

[kroghsrestaurantandbrewpub]

March 31 is National Tater Day and we have two good ones for you! 1) Our Tater Tot Keg is a serving of five over-sized tater tots stuffed with bacon, melted Cheddar Cheese and chives! 2) Our house-made potato skins are a serving of four and they are stuffed with your choice of Broccoli-Cheddar or Bacon-Cheese! The extra good news here is that these appetizers are half-price during Happy Hour from 3-5:00 pm today (dine-in only)! So come get your potato fix because these are too good to pass up! ... #kroghs #kroghbar #brewpub #brewpubnj #nationaltaterday #tatertots #potatoskins #tatertotkeg #broccolicheddarskins #baconcheeseskins #tater #spuds #halfpriceappetizers #happyhourspecial #dineinside #takeoutfood #pickupfood #contactlessdelivery #fooddelivery #curbsidepickup #lakemohawk #lakemohawknj #spartanj #njeats (at Krogh's Restaurant & Brew Pub) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNFm937AMCP/?igshid=1rfj1kcj1ifzr

[jgpalanca]

Po-tay-toes! Boil 'em, mash 'em, bake 'em, roast 'em, steam 'em, grill 'em, fry 'em, scallop 'em, stick 'em in a stew... #NationalTaterDay (at Pieology Pizzeria) https://www.instagram.com/jgpalanca/p/Bvr2TJ9gOeH/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vqhzm41aad2q

[pezman4him]

Come celebrate with me on this 31st day in March #NationalTaterDay https://www.instagram.com/p/BvrrN8HHWaM8vPOG0rYtz2gRUzwOAMFVhNKBog0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=awbev6uab91h

[violasbabygirl]

Oh well I celebrated a day early; I had some tater tots yesterday on my drive home. 👍 #nationaltaterday https://www.instagram.com/p/BvrEd8HgEdm/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=tbmkifeaa9i0

[schoolofcivilites]

Event of the Day

https://schoolofcivilities.org/event-of-the-day.php

[rabbitcruiser]

National Tater Day

Tater. Tuber. Spud. These are some of the names given to the potato, which is celebrated today, on National Tater Day. The holiday may have sprouted up on account of Tater Day, which has been held in Benton, Kentucky, during the first week of April since 1843. Another holiday that may have sprouted up from Kentucky’s Tater Day is Sweet Potato Day—which also is known as Tater Day—which is celebrated on the first Monday in April.

Potatoes are plentiful, cheap, and versatile. There are many kinds, with russet, red, yellow, white, and purple being some of the most common of the 4,000 or so varieties. Sweet potatoes technically are not potatoes but are related to them. Potatoes were domesticated in the Andes Mountains in South America thousands of years ago. They made their way to Europe by way of Spanish explorers in the sixteenth century. Idaho is the largest producer of potatoes in the United States, growing about a third of them.

More often than not, potatoes are used to make side dishes, but they can be the focus of the main dish. They can be used to make tater tots, french fries, potato chips, potato pancakes, potato salad, hash browns, scalloped potatoes, and mashed potatoes. They can be baked—and then sometimes loaded and stuffed—roasted, grilled, steamed, or boiled. They can be used in soups, stews, and casseroles.

Potatoes contain many nutrients that make them a healthy food to eat, as long as they are prepared in a nutritious manner and not paired with unhealthy foods. For example, plain baked potatoes are much more nutritious than french fries or potato chips, which are fried in oil. The skin is the most nutrient-dense part of the potato. Potatoes contain antioxidants, phytochemicals, and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, choline, zinc, and potassium. They are high in fiber and low in sodium. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates, which is the one reason why they shouldn’t be overindulged in.

Because of their nutritional content, potatoes provide numerous health benefits. They support bone health, healthy blood pressure, and heart health; they have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties; they promote digestive health, skin health, and weight management; they regulate the metabolism and strengthen the immune system. With so many health benefits and ways potatoes can be prepared, it’s not too difficult to find a reason to celebrate National Tater Day.

How to Observe National Tater Day

Celebrate the day by eating some taters! You could pick a recipe and make something or find a restaurant that serves your favorite potato dish. If you want to be self-sufficient and always have potatoes at your fingertips, try growing your own. You could deepen your knowledge of potatoes by reading about some of the different varieties or by visiting a potato museum such as the Idaho Potato Museum or The Potato Museum, which is online only. If you still aren’t completely tatered out, get yourself a Mr. Potato Head to toy with.

Source

[nobertsales]

Happy National Tater Day! * Tater is slang for potato (origin: 1750–60; America; by Apheresis, tato, and substitution of -er for final -o, tater). * According to the National Potato Council, an average potato contains no fat, no cholesterol and has about 100-110 calories each. * The potato contains about 80 percent water. * The "average" American eats over 137 pounds of potatoes annually (fresh, frozen, boxed, canned and potato chips). * High in fiber, potassium and vitamin C, potatoes are also considered an antioxidant. * Idaho is the top potato producer - producing over 14 billion pounds of potatoes in 2012 with Washington and Wisconsin taking the second and third spots. * The potato was the first veggie grown in space. * Potatoes have been used to heal and help prevent a variety of health issues. From skin blemishes, frostbite and sunburn, to toothaches, sore throats, aches and pains. #NationalTaterDay #Tater 🥔🍠 #FoodSales #WeKnowFood #FoodConsultant #FoodDude #FoodService #Food #FoodServiceSolutions #FoodOfTheDay #NobertSales @NobertSales (at Germantown, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbxeSVhgabi/?utm_medium=tumblr

[pjrobesq]

#nationaltaterday https://www.instagram.com/p/CNG0p8bJWNHob7RGG3ZDtA_1m6Q8f34ZqvQ1og0/?igshid=69hnvbes7d97

[myfriendscallmelizard]

It's fry-day, fry-day. Gotta get down on fry-day. #nationaltaterday (at Boise Fry Company)

[beautyskinyourn]

[jamieroxx]

Today, Mar. 31, 2019 is National Tater Day! (http://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/days-2/national-tater-day-march-31) #NationalTaterDay

[jamieroxxartist]

Devo | Time Out For Fun | Official Video *Fun Fact, this was the Track / Video that got me into music when I was a kid.  I mean I had heard music before, but when I saw this video, I was hooked! #NationalTaterDay